Public Garden Career Center - View Job

Four years after the conclusion of the $4.5M campaign to build the Hamilton Children’s Garden, San Diego Botanic Garden is entering another exciting period of growth. We are now in the planning stage for a $3M campaign to build an education and events facility. We’re looking for the right person to assume responsibility for the Garden’s annual fundraising activities during the campaign period, allowing the Director of Development to concentrate on the capital campaign and other related projects.

This is a full time temporary staff position with medical, dental, vacation and membership benefits. This position is expected to last approximately two years, but it could be longer or shorter, depending on the duration of the campaign.

The Deputy Director of Development is responsible for working closely with the Director of Development while the Garden is engaged in a capital campaign to direct the Garden’s annual fundraising program, including the cultivation and solicitation of charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and community organizations. This is a management level staff position, reporting to the Director of Development.

TO APPLY: please send a resume and a thoughtful cover letter highlighting your past experience and your interest in working at the Garden to tbarham@sdbgarden.org by November 9th. No phone calls, please.

RESPONSIBILITIES

General

· Conduct ongoing strategic program planning and evaluation with a focus on the Garden’s annual funding needs as determined by the Director of Development, President/CEO and the Board of Trustees. Recommend and implement changes as needed.

· Develop annual development goals and objectives within the overall strategic plan.

· Develop annual revenue and expense budget to achieve objectives.

· Direct supervision of development office staff. Provide overall direction to staff in donor cultivation and solicitation, providing excellent customer service, and working with volunteers.

· Spend at least 25% of time coordinating, preparing for, and participating in the solicitation of donors through phone calls and one-on-one meetings.

· Supervise any docents, volunteers, and interns recruited to help with development activities.

· Participate in Garden-wide staffing responsibilities as needed.

Program Activities

· Capital Campaign

o Work closely with DoD to ensure that ongoing development efforts are coordinated with the strategy and organization of the capital campaign. Suggest prospects for further cultivation based on their giving history or expressions of interest.

· Individual Membership Program

o Oversee Membership Manager and support staff in renewal of current members and acquisition of new members.

o Work with Membership Manager to develop strategies for increasing and upgrading memberships.

· Corporate Partners Program

o Work with Membership Manager, DoD, CEO, board members and other volunteers to identify and solicit potential Annual Corporate Members and Event Sponsors (for the Gala and our public events).

o Identify recognition opportunities to fill in gaps so that small, medium, and large opportunities are available.

· Special Events

o Working with Development Special Events Coordinator, create a master plan including the objectives, budget and timeline for each event, establishing key organizational deadlines. Participate in selection of Gala chairpersons and honorees and attend Gala Committee meetings as needed.

o Work with DSEC to develop opportunities to secure sponsorships for various Garden special events (Gala, Chocolate Festival, Orchid Fair, Garden of Lights, Herb Festival, Concerts, etc…), and personally participate in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of sponsors.

o Keep abreast of new developments in information technology with a focus on utilization of the donor database and social media to capture information about our constituents, communicate with them appropriately, and utilize data to forecast growth, evaluate programs and analyze prospects.

o Recommend and implement new technologies as appropriate.

· SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

· Bachelor’s degree.

· Minimum five years of fundraising experience with strong record of accomplishment.

· Experience in developing and implementing strategies for funding requests from individuals, corporations and foundations, including preparing written proposals.

· Demonstrated strength in oral communication, including ability to persuasively present and interpret the mission, goals and programs of the Garden to prospective donors and volunteers, in individual meetings and in front of groups.

· Strong writing and editing skills, including a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing to a variety of audiences comprising the Garden’s donor/prospect base.

· Demonstrated ability to put together all the components of a complete grant proposal, including background information, letters of support, board approvals, budgets in a variety of formats, and clear, concise narratives that address the potential funder’s priorities and interests.

· Social skills, sensitivity, and self-confidence to work successfully with a variety of individuals and personalities (board members, community leaders, corporate leaders, foundation representatives, financial advisors, etc.)

· Understanding of best practices and legal requirements relating to fundraising.

· Discretion and respect for confidentiality of personal or politically sensitive material

· Ability to work independently, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

· Ability to work as part of an interdependent team

· Experienced at training and supervising development staff members

· Willingness to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required.

· Ability to shift priorities as needed.

· Flexibility to assume additional, occasionally unexpected duties as the situation demands, with humor and equanimity.

Preferred:

· Familiarity with the social, business and economic structure of the local San Diego community

· Interest in public gardens, environmental education, horticulture, or conservation